tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358289582018-05-29T00:24:50.980-04:00Nikon vs. CanonPolitics has Republicans vs. Democrats. Baseball has American League vs. National League. And photography has Nikon vs. Canon. The Nikon vs. Canon rivalry has run deep among photographers for decades. So we decided it’s time that it had its own web site. On www.nikonvscanon.com you’ll find news from both sides, arguments in support of both and a place for supporters of both to have their say.Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-14163244588573968672011-10-14T20:21:00.002-04:002011-10-14T20:27:59.713-04:00<strong><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/12/us-canon-idUSTRE79B48M20111012">European Financial Problems Hurting Nikon Sales But Not Canon</a><br /></strong><br />Canon officials tell Reuters they haven't seen any loss of sales attributable to the European financial crisis, but Nikon says some dealers are delaying orders. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/12/us-canon-idUSTRE79B48M20111012">Read more.</a>Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-70058876651993760412008-04-29T21:56:00.000-04:002008-04-29T21:57:28.041-04:00Canon Beats Nikon 7-5 in May Photo Magazine ContestsCanon beat Nikon 7-5 in May’s reader contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines in April.<br /><br />Canon scored five winning photos and Nikon claimed four in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” contest, with one winning shot made by another brand (Olympus). The score was Canon two, Nikon one in the “Your Best Shot” contest in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a>, with no photos by other brands.<br /><br />The Canon victory follows a tie in April. Canon currently leads the year 30-23 with eight winning photos shot with other brands. Canon has won three months this year, with Nikon taking March.<br /><br />In 2007, Canon won 71-56 win with other brands accounting for 37 winning photos. In 2006, the score was 89-83 in Canon’s favor, with 43 also-rans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2008Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-20788408040047523172008-03-22T20:25:00.001-04:002008-04-29T21:58:18.064-04:00Nikon and Canon Score 6-6 Double Tie in April Photo Magazine ContestsNikon and Canon scored a rare 6-6 double tie in the reader contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines in April.<br /><br />The two photo giants have fought to a draw four times before since NikonvsCanon.com started tracking the contests in 2006 – March 2006 plus February, May and September of 2007. But this was the first time that there were simultaneous ties in both magazines.<br /><br />Nikon and Canon each claimed five of the winning shots in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” contest for April, with no winning shots made by other brands. The score was tied 1-1 in the “Your Best Shot” contest in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a>, with one photo by another brand (Sony).<br /><br />Nikon won in March, breaking a four-month winning streak by Canon. Canon currently leads the year 23-18 with seven winning photos shot with other brands.<br /><br />In 2007, Canon won 71-56 win with other brands accounting for 37 winning photos. In 2006, the score was 89-83 in Canon’s favor, with 43 also-rans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2008Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-69485728955848887792008-03-02T15:17:00.001-05:002008-03-02T15:17:54.929-05:00Nikon Introduces New AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR LensNikon says its new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens is in stores now.<br /><br />The new lens features Nikon’s proprietary Vibration Reduction technology to reduce blur from camera shake. The company is billing the compact, lightweight and affordable optic as “an optimum lens to use with Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras” and “the ideal focal length as a ‘first lens’ to faithfully capture life’s day-to-day moments.”<br /><br />Nikon says its VR system affords users the ability to take pictures at shutter speeds up to three stops slower than they ordinarily could before seeing blur from camera shake at slow shutter speeds.<br /><br />The “digitally optimized” lens features hybrid aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration, and Super Integrated Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. The lens also features Nikon’s compact Silent Wave Motor technology for quiet, fast and accurate autofocus performance.<br /><br />The 18-55mm has an estimated street price of $199.<br /><br />Copyright 2008Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-59486083527644338552008-03-02T15:02:00.000-05:002008-03-02T15:03:58.279-05:00Nikon Beats Canon 6-3 in March Photo Magazine ContestsNikon claimed its first victory of the year and its first win in five months with a 6-3 score over Canon in the March reader contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines.<br /><br />Nikon claimed six of the winning shots in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” contest, while one was made with Canon and three were made with other brands.<br /><br />The score was 2-0 in favor of Canon in the “Your Best Shot” contest in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a>, with one photo by another brand.<br /><br />The four shots made by other brands marked one of the rare times that other brands – even combined – have been able to outscore either Nikon or Canon. The third-party winners included one each by Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Konica-Minolta.<br /><br />Canon had won the past four months in a row and still leads the year 17-12 after Nikon’s strong showing this month. Other brands account for six photos.<br /><br />This is the third year that NikonvsCanon has counted the monthly results. In 2007, Canon won 71-56 win with other brands accounting for 37 winning photos. In 2006, the score was 89-83 in Canon’s favor, with 43 also-rans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2008Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-91946952823436169742008-02-02T17:32:00.000-05:002008-02-02T17:33:46.145-05:00Canon Beats Nikon 9-3 in February Photo Magazine ContestsCanon claimed its fourth winning month in a row with a 9-3 win over Nikon in the reader photo contests in the February editions of the two largest U.S. photo magazines.<br /><br />Canon had seven of the winning pictures in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” contest, while one was shot with Nikon and two others were made with other brands.<br /><br />The score was 2-2 in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a>, which resumed its regular “Your Best Shot” monthly contest complete with camera data. Pop Photo skips the monthly contest each January to publish the winners of its big annual photo contest, throwing off our monthly scoreboard. Pop made matters worse this year by not publishing any camera information about the winners of the annual contest.<br /><br />Canon won last month’s Shutterbug-only contest, and now leads Nikon 14-6 for the year, with two photos shot with other brands. Including November and December of last year, Canon has had four winning months in a row.<br /><br />This is the third year that NikonvsCanon has counted the monthly results. In 2007, Canon won 71-56 win with other brands accounting for 37 winning photos. In 2006, the score was 89-83 in Canon’s favor, with 43 also-rans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2008Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-63429632777892946122007-12-25T16:34:00.000-05:002007-12-25T16:35:49.701-05:00Canon Starts the Year with 5-3 Win in Photo Magazine ContestsCanon kicked off the year with a 5-3 win over Nikon in the reader photo contests in the January editions of the two largest U.S. photo magazines – but it was a one-magazine contest for NikonvsCanon.com purposes this month.<br /><br />Canon had five of the winning pictures in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” contest, while three were shot with Nikon and two others were made with other brands.<br /><br />January is the month that <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> runs the results of its annual photo contest and skips the usual “Your Best Shot” monthly contest. Traditionally, Pop has published camera details, but last year only gave data for a few of the winners of the annual contest. This year, the magazine provided no camera information on any of the 25 pictures published. Very frustrating for those of us who keep track.<br /><br />This is the third year that NikonvsCanon has counted the monthly results. In 2007, Canon won 71-56 win with other brands accounting for 37 winning photos. In 2006, the score was 89-83 in Canon’s favor, with 43 also-rans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-61614190467741462252007-11-14T21:17:00.000-05:002007-11-14T21:18:02.989-05:00Canon Beats Nikon 8-2 in December Photo Magazine Contests, Wins Year 71-56Canon beat Nikon 8-2 in December’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines – matching last month’s score exactly and wrapping up the year with a 71-56 win over Nikon for all of 2007.<br /><br />The win for the year was Canon’s second in a row, with a significantly broader margin than last year’s 89-83.<br /><br />Canon beat Nikon 3-0 in Popular Photography and Imaging’s “Your Best Shot” contest for December, following up on 2-1 wins two months in a row, then went on to outscore Nikon 5-2 in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature for a total score of Canon 8, Nikon 2. Other brands scored three hits in Shutterbug but none in Pop, also the same as last month.<br /><br />All other brands combined totaled 37 for the year, compared with 43 last year. That means Nikon and Canon together outscored all others together nearly four to one.<br /><br />The year ended with five months won by Canon, four by Nikon and three tied.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-2875750860085044262007-11-03T16:52:00.001-04:002007-11-03T16:52:23.486-04:00Nikon Inc. Appoints New PresidentNikon Inc. has a new President and CEO.<br /><br />Twenty-nine-year Nikon veteran Yasuyuki Okamoto will be responsible for driving the company’s performance in the areas of sales, marketing and customer service for North, Central and South American markets.<br /><br />"Nikon’s operations in the Americas are very important to the success of our company and I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the team at Nikon Inc.,” Okamoto said. “We have developed great prospects for continued growth within the Americas, and I hope to work closely with the team to build upon the tremendous momentum of recent years and drive successes for Nikon Inc.”<br /><br />Okamoto has a diverse background with Nikon. He has held top management positions at Nikon’s headquarters in Tokyo and Nikon subsidiaries within a variety of markets, product divisions and business situations. Most recently, Okamoto served as general manager and operating officer at the marketing headquarters for the Imaging Company at Nikon Corporation. In that role, Okamoto was responsible for global marketing initiatives and policies. During his term Nikon developed a highly competitive and sophisticated marketing team that helped the company gain market share in Japan and across its worldwide subsidiaries.<br /><br />Prior to his work at the marketing headquarters, Okamoto was general manager of corporate communications for Nikon Corporation in Japan. His responsibilities included overseeing all internal and external communications initiatives relating to Nikon Corporation's businesses throughout the world, as well as managing the company's financial and investor relations activities.<br /><br />Additionally, Okamoto served as president of Nikon France SA in 1998, spending more than five years directing Nikon’s photo and imaging business activities in the region. Under his leadership, Nikon France SA developed an aggressive marketing and communications approach that helped the subsidiary successfully gain market share in the region.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-46224928461546135352007-11-03T16:41:00.000-04:002007-11-03T16:42:58.124-04:00Nikon Sponsors Project to Capture Pictures that “Define Life at Home in America"Nikon was among the companies that sponsored this fall’s America at Home project, an extended day-in-the-life effort to document and photograph the Americans home.<br /><br />From September 17-23, 100 prominent photojournalists and thousands of amateur photographers fanned out around the United States to capture pictures of their life at home. Nikon, in association with FotoNation.net, provided 100 Coolpix S51c Wi-Fi enabled point and shoot digital cameras to photographers, allowing them to easily shoot and send their pictures wirelessly from wherever they were. (Participants were free to use more serious cameras as well, and equipment was not restricted to Nikon.)<br /><br />“Nikon is excited to be a part of such a momentous project, and provide professional photographers with an easy way to share their vision,” said Bill Giordano, Nikon’s general manager Coolpix marketing.<br /><br />America at Home was produced by former Time, Life and National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan in partnership with furniture retailer IKEA. In the past, Smolan and his team of magazine and newspaper photo editors have successfully produced such notable projects as A Day in the Life of America: America 24/7, 24 Hours in Cyberspace, and One Digital Day.<br /><br />A book of photos from the project is scheduled to be published in March.<br /><br />More information about the project is available at <a href="http://www.myamericaathome.com./">http://www.myamericaathome.com./</a><br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-18675725190022470612007-11-03T16:14:00.000-04:002007-11-03T16:15:04.842-04:00Nikon Starts Podcast SeriesNikon is on the radio – Internet radio, at least.<br /><br />Nikon this fall began a series of podcasts on topics ranging from the basics of digital SLR photography to how to shoot particular situations, with a big emphasis on Nikon equipment, of course. (If you’re reading this blog, you probably know that a podcast is a radio program that is downloaded from a website rather than broadcast over the air, then listened to either on your computer, iPod or other MP-3 player.)<br /><br />The first episode featured “lifestyle journalist” Mark Ellwood interviewing Nikon Inc. Senior Technical Manager Steve Heiner talk radio-style on the topic of “All About D-SLR.” The episode is very beginner-oriented, clearly targeted at a point-and-shoot owner considering a D-40 rather than a professional thinking about a D-3. And as the title indicates, Ellwood kept awkwardly using the term “D-SLR” rather than “a D-SLR” as if it were a style of photography rather than a type of camera. Ellwood is clearly not a photographer but apparently was chosen on purpose as a typical consumer who doesn’t know an f/stop from a shutter speed who wants to learn the advantages of a digital SLR. But it’s still interesting to see Nikon exploring the relatively new medium of podcasting to get the word out and perhaps encourage a few people to move up to the world of interchangeable lenses and pentaprisms.<br /><br />The series is up to five episodes now, with the latest covering PhotoPlus Expo 2007. <a href="http://press.nikonusa.com/whatsnew.html">Click here</a> for Nikon’s press release page, then click on the release about each episode in order to get the links and listen.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-16425128880688938192007-11-03T15:53:00.000-04:002007-11-14T21:18:45.242-05:00Canon Beats Nikon 8-2 in November Photo Magazine ContestsCanon beat Nikon 8-2 in November’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines, taking a hard-to-beat hold on its year-to-date lead as the end of the year approaches and tying monthly wins at four each.<br /><br />Canon beat Nikon 2-1 in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging’s </a>“Your Best Shot” contest for the third month in a row, then went on trounce Nikon 6-1 in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature for a total score of Canon 8, Nikon 2. Other brands scored three hits in Shutterbug but none in Pop.<br /><br />The numbers expand Canon’s lead for the year to 63-54 – a nine-point margin that makes it all but impossible for Nikon to come from behind with only one month left in the year. (Canon led Nikon 55-52 last month.) All others combined now total 34. Canon and Nikon now have four winning months each, with three months tied. Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-23996240011691075382007-10-07T12:35:00.000-04:002007-10-07T12:36:03.382-04:00Nikon Beats Canon 6-5 in October Photo Magazine ContestsNikon beat Canon 6-5 in October’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines, marking Nikon’s first win since an unprecedented shutout this summer.<br /><br />Canon beat Nikon 2-1 in Popular Photography and Imaging’s “Your Best Shot” contest for the second month in a row but Nikon outscored Canon 5-3 in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature for the final score of Nikon 6, Canon 3. Other brands scored two hits in Shutterbug but none in Pop.<br /><br />The scores follow a 7-0 shutout of Nikon by Canon in August and a 5-5 tie in September.<br /><br />Despite the comeback, Canon still leads Nikon 55-52 for the year, with all others combined at 31. Nikon has had four winning months compared with three for Canon and three months tied. Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-33579460659490132552007-09-14T20:36:00.000-04:002007-09-14T20:39:23.164-04:00Nikon Introduces 12.3 Megapixel D300<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/Ruspp-PyYAI/AAAAAAAAABM/qm6sJUr7ngk/s1600-h/D300_18-200_front34l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110224003242549250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/Ruspp-PyYAI/AAAAAAAAABM/qm6sJUr7ngk/s320/D300_18-200_front34l.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nikon has introduced the successor to its 10.2 megapixel D200. The new D300 boasts 12.3 megapixels and is being billed as Nikon’s most-advanced DX-format DSLR now that Nikon has moved into the full-frame world with its new D3 flagship.<br /><br />Sharing a number of features with the D3, the D300 has a new 51-point auto focus system with Nikon’s 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that allow users to frame a photograph using the camera’s high-resolution LCD monitor. The D300 shares a Scene Recognition System similar to that found in the D3 that promises to greatly enhance the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance by recognizing the subject or scene being photographed and applying this information to the calculations for the three functions.<br /><br />The D300 powers up in a 0.13 seconds, and has a 45 millisecond shutter release lag time. The D300 is capable of shooting at six frames per second and can go as fast as eight frames per second when using the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack. In continuous bursts, the D300 can shoot up to 100 shots at the Normal/Large JPEG setting.<br /><br />“Nikon’s D200 digital SLR camera has been a runaway success for us because it embodies everything that performance-conscious photographers demand. With the D300, we’ve raised the bar with remarkable new features, greater resolution and speed, and even higher image quality,” said Nikon SLR Systems Products General Manager for Marketing Edward Fasano. “The D300 delivers an unmatched combination of quality, performance and value that’s hard for discerning photographers to resist.”<br /><br />The D300’s new Scene Recognition System advances the use of Nikon’s acclaimed 1,005-segment sensor to recognize colors and light patterns that help the camera determine the subject and the type of scene being photographed, before a picture is taken. This information is used to improve the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance functions in the D300. For example, the camera can track moving subjects better and by identifying them, it can also automatically select focus points faster and with greater accuracy. It can also analyze highlights and more accurately determine exposure, as well as infer light sources to deliver more accurate white balance detection.<br /><br />The D300 incorporates Nikon’s new Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus module that features an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either nine, 21 or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D tracking with automatic focus point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses color and light information to accurately track the subject. Nikon's new Scene Recognition System and improved focus algorithms also contribute to the performance of the AF system.<br /><br />Nikon's new Picture Control System makes it easy for users of all experience levels to select and apply adjustments to how their pictures are rendered and create optimized settings to suit their individual preferences. The same settings produce consistent picture tone, even when using different camera bodies. The Picture Control System offers four basic setting options – Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome. These can be directly modified for easy adjustment and customization of image parameters, such as sharpening, tone compensation, brightness and saturation. Photographers can customize and store up to nine customized options in the D300 and export up to 99 to a Compact Flash memory card, enabling photographers to share settings among multiple cameras that feature Picture Control System.<br /><br />Taking a cue from the popularity of Nikon’s D-Lighting technology, the D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.<br /><br />The D300’s LiveView feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the new 920,000-dot, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor while shooting. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera’s conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.<br /><br />The D300 also employs a new self-cleaning sensor unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the appearance of dust.<br /><br />The camera’s viewfinder provides virtually 100 percent coverage so pictures can be framed accurately, while the ultra-high definition 920,000 dot VGA LCD screen has a 170-degree wide viewing angle.<br /><br />The D300 features rugged magnesium alloy construction and the camera’s shutter mechanism is tested up to 150,000 cycles. The 3-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D300’s rubber gaskets and seals protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.<br /><br />The D300 will be available in November for an estimated selling price of $1,799.95.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-47300092587167471232007-09-13T20:30:00.001-04:002007-09-13T20:30:31.732-04:00Nikon and Canon Tie 5-5 in September Photo Mag ContestsNikon recovered from August’s embarrassing 7-0 shutout to tie Canon 5-5 in September’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines.<br /><br />Canon beat Nikon 2-1 in Popular Photography and Imaging’s “Your Best Shot” contest but Nikon outscored Canon 4-3 in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature. Other brands scored one hit in Pop and three in Shutterbug for a total of four.<br /><br />Canon now leads Nikon 50-46 for the year, with all others combined at 29. Nikon and Canon have each had three winning months while three months were tied. Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-558431765895248362007-09-08T16:24:00.000-04:002007-10-07T12:37:48.565-04:00Nikon Introduces First (Nearly) Full-Frame DSLR<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RuMGlbap9hI/AAAAAAAAABE/1bR3o9te73s/s1600-h/D3_14-24_front34l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107933642452760082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RuMGlbap9hI/AAAAAAAAABE/1bR3o9te73s/s320/D3_14-24_front34l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RuMFNbap9fI/AAAAAAAAAA0/BpoUepmSyl8/s1600-h/D3_14-24_front34l.jpg"></a></p><br /><div>After years of losing photographers to Canon by the droves for lack of a full-frame digital SLR, Nikon has introduced its first full-frame DSLR – sort of.<br /><br />The new 12.1 megapixel D3 features a sensor chip that Nikon calls “nearly identical to the size of 35mm film.” That works out to 23.9 mm by 36mm, or just one-tenth of one millimeter short of the standard 24mm by 36mm.<br /><br />Why in the world they could not have squeezed out the extra tenth of a millimeter is beyond us. There’s been talk that the diameter of the F-mount isn’t large enough to build a lens that would fully cover 24x36 with the need of digital pixels for a perpendicular light ray. But couldn’t they have just made a 24x36 chip and if there was falloff in the last tenth of a millimeter just let falloff fall where it may, so to speak? Or why not just round off the dimensions and wait until someone came along and measured it?<br /><br />There’s another huge disappointment that would be laughable if not so pitiful – when DX format lenses are used, the D3 reverts to being a 5.1 megapixel camera. Hard to believe but true. See below for details.<br /><br />Ordinarily, the announcement of a full-frame Nikon DSLR – even sort of full-frame – would have been the hot news in professional photography. But introduction of the D3 came just days after Canon rolled out the new EOS-1Ds Mark III, and the comparison clearly left Nikon in the dust.<br /><br />Why? Nikon may have brought out its first full-frame DSLR. But Canon has been making full-frame models for years. Nikon’s new model may have been full frame. But it is only 12.1 megapixels. That failed to match even Canon’s previous EOS-1Ds Mark II at 16.7 megapixels. And the new Canon boasts 21.1 megapixels – nearly twice Nikon’s new flagship model.<br /><br />Dedicated Nikon fans may welcome the D3 as finally offering them a full-frame camera and taking them out of the position of being forced to consider a switch to Canon if they need extreme wide-angle capabilities. But photographers without a previous commitment to Nikon glass who are considering which brand to choose may right it off as too little too late.<br /><br />The D3’s one big advantage over the Mark III is its price -- $5,000 vs. $8,000. That’s still not cheap, but certainly a substantial savings and probably enough to keep those with an investment in Nikkors in the Nikon camp.<br /><br />Twelve megapixels vs. 21? It depends on what you shoot and your end market. News photographers need extreme wide angle capability for situations where they are in close quarters. But for photos that are going to go through a halftone screen and end up on newsprint, anything more than six megapixels is a waste. But landscape photographers also like extreme wide angle and often want to sell large prints where they need every megapixel. Wedding and portrait photographers may be seeking maximum megapixels so they can sell wall portraits. And other photographers want a full frame chip just so they don’t have to do the mental math to think that their trusty 80-200 has become a 120-300 and what is that going to do to depth of field, perspective and backgrounds.<br /><br />With all that said, here’s the scoop on the D3.<br /><br />Nikon calls the 23.9x36mm CMOS chip the FX format, and it can capture images at nine fps. With that speed, Nikon says the D3 has the fastest startup time, shortest viewfinder blackout time, and shortest shutter lag of any digital SLR camera, making it “the world’s fastest digital SLR camera in its class.” It also incorporates Nikon’s new EXPEED Image Processing System.<br /><br />Nikon says images made with the D3 reflect exceptional overall quality, broad tonal range and depth and extremely low noise throughout its normal ISO range of 200 to 6400. The camera can also be set to options of Lo-1 or Hi-2 for the equivalent of ISO 100 or ISO 25,600 respectively – but why not just mark them as such?<br /><br />The D3 also features a new 51-point auto focus system with Nikon’s 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a photograph using the LCD monitor. The D3 uses a Scene Recognition System to greatly enhance the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection by recognizing the subject or scene being photographed and applying the information to the calculations for the three functions.<br /><br />“Nikon is proud and excited to once again respond to the needs of professional photographers by introducing the D3,” Nikon SLR Systems Products Marketing General Manager Edward Fasano said. “Nikon engineers have successfully combined ultra high-speed shooting capabilities and handling with outstanding low-noise image quality, offering professional photographers an ideal tool for a broad range of shooting disciplines.”<br /><br />“Sports, commercial and press photographers are increasingly demanding higher ISO sensitivity, better resolution, wider dynamic range and a familiar depth-of-field in relation to picture angles,” Fasano said. “With the D3, Nikon is excited to deliver a solution that represents an ideal unification of unsurpassed image quality, high-speed operation and professional durability, without compromise. Nikon fully expects the D3 to positively affect the photographic community in a way that hasn’t been seen since the introduction of the Nikon D1.”<br /><br />Nikon says its DX-format cameras – with a 1.5 digital crop factor – have been widely accepted by professional photographers and photo enthusiasts but that there is an increasing demand among professionals for a full-frame digital Nikon with the same relationship between picture angle and depth-of-field of the 35mm film format.<br /><br />Introducing a full-frame camera raises the question of what photographers are supposed to do with the DX-format lenses Nikon has been selling – lenses that are designed for smaller chips and won’t cover a full 24x36mm frame. Nikon says the D3 will deliver full-frame 12.1 megapixel images when used with conventional full-frame lenses, and will automatically switch to the DX format when using DX lenses.<br /><br />But here’s the next big kicker: rather than delivering a 12, 10, 8 or even 6-megapixel image from DX lenses like Nikon DSLRs going back to the D100, the D3 will crop into its sensor and produce only a 5.1 megapixel image when used with DX lenses. The viewfinder will be automatically masked to show the appropriate area included in the frame.<br /><br />That’s right – when used with DX lenses, this is a 5.1 megapixel camera selling for $5,000!!! Canon executives and fans must be howling with laughter.<br /><br />Going to 5.1 megapixels does let D3 shoot at 11 fps, but the uses for a frame rate that high are few.<br /><br />Nikon’s explanation: “Both Nikon FX and DX-formats provide their own advantages, and Nikon recognizes that both formats are necessary in order to satisfy its diverse customer demands. Based on this recognition, Nikon will strengthen its D-SLR lineup with the addition of the D3 FX-format SLR camera and a broadened assortment of Nikkor interchangeable lenses, while continuing to develop and market high-performance DX-format cameras and lenses.”<br /><br />Scene Recognition<br />Nikon’s Scene Recognition System advances the use of Nikon’s 1,005-segment sensor to recognize colors and light patterns that help the camera determine the subject and the type of scene being photographed to improve the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance. For example, the camera can track moving subjects better in all directions and by identifying them it can also automatically select focus points faster and with greater accuracy. It can also analyze scene highlights and more accurately determine exposure, as well as infer light sources to deliver more accurate white balance.<br /><br />The D3 incorporates Nikon’s new Multi-CAM 3500FX auto focus module that features an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. The sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single Area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either 9, 21 or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D Focus Tracking with automatic focus point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses color and light information to accurately track the subject. Nikon's new Scene Recognition System and improved focus algorithms also contribute to the performance of the AF system.<br /><br />Nikon's new Picture Control System makes it easy for users of all experience levels to select and apply adjustments to how their pictures are rendered and create optimized settings to suit their individual preferences. The same settings produce consistent picture tone, even when using different camera bodies. The Picture Control System offers four basic setting options – Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome. These can be directly modified for easy adjustment and customization of image parameters, such as sharpening, tone compensation, brightness and saturation. Photographers can customize and store up to nine customized options in the D3 and export up to 99 to a CF memory card, enabling photographers to share settings among multiple D3 cameras.<br /><br />Taking a cue from the popularity of Nikon’s D-Lighting technology, the D3 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.<br /><br />The D3’s LiveView feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the new 920,000-dot, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor while shooting. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera’s conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.<br /><br />Speed<br />Nikon says the D3 has the fastest reaction times of any camera in its class. Its shutter release time lag is only 37 milliseconds, and its start-up time is approximately 0.12 seconds. It is capable of continuously shooting approximately nine frames per second in full resolution with FX-format, up to 64 consecutive frames in JPEG, Normal compression. For NEF (RAW) files, the D3 can shoot up to 20 or up to 17 consecutive frames depending on whether it is set to 12-bit or 14-bit images. When using a DX-format lens, the camera automatically switches to DX-format mode, adjusting the resolution of the camera to 5.1 megapixels. In the DX-format mode, photographers also have the opportunity to increase the speed at which the camera can take pictures by limiting the auto exposure and going up to 10 frames per second or limiting both auto exposure and auto focus and going up to 11 frames per second.<br /><br />The camera’s viewfinder provides virtually 100 percent coverage for accurate framing, while the VGA LCD has a viewing angle of 170 degrees to help with the LiveView mode. The D3 also features a Virtual Horizon digital level sensor that indicates the camera’s alignment relative to the true horizon on the rear LCD screen or in the viewfinder. This is a feature we like and haven’t heard of elsewhere.<br /><br />The D3 also features two Compact Flash card slots that can be used for consecutive recording (overflow), simultaneous recording (backup), separating recording of RAW and JPEG files or copying pictures between the two cards. Images can be displayed directly from the camera to a high-definition monitor using the camera’s HDMI port and an optional cable.<br />The exterior of the D3 is crafted of magnesium alloy and the camera’s shutter mechanism is tested to 300,000-cycle releases. The three-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D3’s comprehensive array of rubber gaskets and seals protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.<br /><br />Nikon says the D3 will be available in November at a street price of $4,999.95.<br /><br />Copyright 2007</div></div>Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-36095105704679585142007-08-23T21:10:00.000-04:002007-08-23T21:16:22.176-04:00Canon Introduces 21-Megapixel Full-Frame DSLR<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/Rs4xWbap9eI/AAAAAAAAAAs/1AIBRY2yoUg/s1600-h/Canon+21.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102069689243792866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/Rs4xWbap9eI/AAAAAAAAAAs/1AIBRY2yoUg/s320/Canon+21.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Canon this week introduced the first digital SLR to break the 20 megapixel mark, putting SLRs based on 35mm-size bodies into the range of resolution previously claimed only by medium format cameras with digital backs.<br /><br />The new EOS-1Ds Mark III boats 21.1 megapixels on a full-frame chip, and Canon says the new offering is targeted at high-fashion and commercial studios where bulkier, medium-format cameras previously reigned but that the compact, lighter-weight magnesium alloy body is also rugged and versatile enough to take out of the studio and into the field.<br /><br />The camera's five fps shooting rate allows bursts of up to 56 Large/Fine JPEGS or 12 RAW images. It is scheduled to begin shipping in November and will have an estimated selling price of $7,999, the same price as its predecessor, the 16.7 megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark II.<br /><br />"The EOS-1Ds Mark III Digital SLR camera is a prime example of the EOS philosophy and Canon's ongoing commitment to providing photo professionals with the tools they need to create the finest quality images," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of Canon USA’s Consumer Imaging Group. "To continue our legacy, we must provide not only the right professional tools, but also the finest photo tools for the job and do so consistently, whether we are presenting this exemplary EOS-1Ds Mark III SLR camera, or any one of the many fine specialty lenses, flashes and accessories that populate the EOS professional photo system."<br /><br />Developed and manufactured by Canon specifically for the Mark III, the camera's new full-size 36 x 24 mm CMOS image sensor offers the highest resolution in its class, and is comprised of approximately 21.1 million effective pixels (5632 x 3750) set at a pitch of 6.4 microns. The user can select any one of six recording formats ranging from 21.0 megapixels in Large JPEG or RAW format, 16.6 or 11.0 megapixels in the two medium JPEG sizes, or 5.2 megapixels in the small JPEG or "sRAW" formats. In any JPEG format, the user can set one of 10 compression rates for each image size. In sRAW mode, the number of pixels is reduced to one-fourth that of a standard RAW image and the file size is cut in half, while retaining all of the flexibility of full-size, traditional RAW images.<br /><br />To achieve low noise and high image quality while keeping up with the enormous signal processing requirements of the camera's 21-megapixel resolution and five fps shooting speed, Canon has incorporated two identical DIGIC III imaging engines into the camera for parallel (and hence, faster) signal processing. The CMOS sensor reads out to the dual DIGIC III processors simultaneously in eight channels. DIGIC III is the next generation of Canon's proprietary image processing engine. This technology ensures the fine details and natural colors of images are optimally recorded and, as an added bonus, is responsible for the Mark III's high-speed performance, faster signal processing and more efficient energy consumption.<br /><br />Adding to that is a 4-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion process. Able to recognize 16,384 colors per channel (four times the number of colors recognized by the EOS-1Ds Mark II's 12-bit conversion capability), this model is able to produce images with finer and more accurate gradations of tones and colors.<br /><br />Additionally, given the significantly larger image file sizes created by the camera, Canon has provided compatibility with the new Ultra Direct Memory Access (UDMA) compact flash memory card specification, which enables ultra-high-speed data transfer to the card. Utilizing a UDMA compliant card doubles the data transfer speed compared to a conventional memory card, putting the EOS-1Ds Mark III on par with the 10.1-megapixel EOS-1D Mark III, even though the pixel count of the new model is more than twice as large.<br /><br />The EOS-1Ds Mark III autofocus system - first introduced earlier this year on the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR - has 45 AF points including 19 high-precision cross-type points and 26 Assist AF points. This new array allows the 19 cross-type points to be divided into groups of nine inner and nine outer focusing points plus a center point, which makes picking an individual focusing point much faster and easier than going through all 45. During manual AF point selection, the AF point area is expandable in two stages via Custom Function control.<br /><br />At the request of sports and wildlife photographers, a new micro-adjustment feature allows for very fine changes in the AF point of focus for each lens type in use, along with the addition of adjustable focus-tracking sensitivity as another sophisticated new AF feature. Other new components in the AF system include a reconfigured concave submirror and the secondary image formation lens. Finally, the low-light sensitivity of the new AF sensor has been doubled to EV-1 for improved performance compared with earlier EOS digital SLRs.<br /><br />The Mark III also features Canon's Live View shooting mode for shooting options beyond the conventional SLR through-the-lens viewing. Framing and shooting subjects using the camera's LCD screen affords the shooter the same 100 percent field of view provided by the optical viewfinder but Live View allows the image to be composed on the camera's bright and brilliant 230,000-pixel, three-inch LED screen. Additionally, the LCD-viewed image can be magnified by five or ten times in order to ensure that the shot is optimally focused.<br /><br />Live View is at its best during tripod shooting, particularly for close-up photography where precise focusing is imperative. As a side benefit, the Live View shooting mode helps to reduce vibration by lifting the reflex mirror out of the optical path well in advance of the exposure, improving image quality at slow shutter speeds. Additionally, as the release time lag is miniscule, even instantaneous movements like a bird taking flight can be readily captured. The shutter charge sound can be delayed and made quieter than normal in Live View mode to avoid spooking wildlife or disturbing people nearby with unwanted camera sounds.<br /><br />If a user is going to be several feet away from the camera, such as in some studio settings, the EOS-1Ds Mark III can be connected by cable to a computer via its USB 2.0 High-Speed interface. The camera can also be operated remotely at distances up to almost 500 feet with the assistance of the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A, which allows users to view images directly off the camera's sensor in virtually real-time, with the ability to adjust many camera settings quickly and easily.<br /><br />The Mark III features a three-inch, 230,000-pixel wide angle LCD display screen. The TFT color liquid-crystal monitor features seven user-settable brightness levels and a wide, 140-degree viewing angle, both horizontally and vertically. An added advantage of the large, three-inch display size is the ability to utilize a larger font size for text, making it easier to read setting and menu options on the screen. The optical viewfinder features 100 percent picture coverage and a magnification factor of 0.75x.<br /><br />Another first is Canon's dust management solution, called the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The new CMOS image sensor is designed with a lightweight infrared absorption glass cover that vibrates for 3.5 seconds when the camera is turned on or off. This brief delay can be cancelled immediately upon start-up by pressing the shutter button half way. Dust that has been shaken or blown loose of the sensor is trapped by adhesive surfaces surrounding the sensor unit housing, preventing the problematic particles from reattaching themselves to the filter when the camera moves.<br /><br />Like its sibling, the EOS-1D Mark III, the shutter of the EOS-1Ds Mark III Digital SLR camera carries a durability rating of 300,000 cycles and, though it generates less dust, it still charges itself three times during the manual cleaning process so that dust is shaken off the shutter curtains as well. This cleaning system uses very little battery power and can be turned off in the custom function menu.The second part of the dust management system is software that maps the location of any spots that may remain on the sensor. The mapped information is saved as Dust Delete Data and attached to the image file. Subsequently, the offending dust information is subtracted from the final image during post processing, using the supplied Digital Photo Professional software.The entire body of the EOS-1Ds Mark III, including its internal chassis and mirror box, is made of an advanced magnesium alloy for strength and rigidity, and features comprehensive weatherproofing at 76 locations on the camera body ensures superior reliability, even when shooting in harsh environments.<br /><br />The Mark III is compatible with Canon's new Picture Style Editor 1.0 software. With PSE, photographers can personalize the look of their photographs by inputting their own preferred image processing parameters, including custom tone curves. The Mark III also ships with the latest versions of Canon's software applications, including Digital Photo Professional 3.2 and EOS Utility 2.2, which support the camera's Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions, as well as incorporating a broad range of additional improvements designed to improve image quality and speed up workflow.<br /><br />Particularly noteworthy in DPP 3.2 is a new Lens Aberration Correction Function that corrects various image defects such as chromatic aberration, color blur, vignetting and distortion. Initially, the Lens Aberration Correction Function will support images captured by the Mark III and 11 other EOS digital SLRs using any of 29 individual EF and EF-S lenses. Also included are ZoomBrowser EX 6.0 and ImageBrowser 6.0 for easy browsing, viewing, printing and archiving with compatible computer operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows XP, as well as Mac OS X.<br /><br />Copyright 2007</div>Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-2477664728455001882007-08-03T21:57:00.000-04:002007-08-03T22:12:43.219-04:00Nikon Introduces Affordable 55-200 with Vibration Reduction<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RrPfXruOxKI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Ckrfh7z3c5s/s1600-h/Nikon55-200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094661201452778658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RrPfXruOxKI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Ckrfh7z3c5s/s320/Nikon55-200.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Nikon has introduced the new 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor, a compact telephoto zoom Nikon says will offer vibration reduction technology and “outstanding” optical performance at an affordable price.<br /><br />The $250 zoom is the equivalent of an 82.5-300mm but is engineered for digital cameras only and does not provide sufficient coverage for use on full-frame film cameras.<br /><br />Nikon is marketing the lens as “ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel, and portrait photography, among many other telephoto applications” – such a catch-all description they’d might as well as admit the copywriter has obviously never tried to shoot sports with a 200mm 5.6 in anything other than full mid-day sun.<br /><br />“Nikon’s range of Nikkor lenses with Vibration Reduction technology has grown substantially and the new 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens is another excellent addition, offering Nikon digital SLR photographers an advanced high-powered zoom lens in a remarkably compact, lightweight design,” Nikon SLR Systems Products General Manager for Marketing Edward Fasano said. “High quality lens design requires a challenging blend of art, science and, of course, photographic experience. With this new 55-200mm lens, Nikon engineers have again met that challenge, producing a lens whose optical performance delivers clarity and contrast typically found only in lenses costing substantially more."<br /><br />Nikon says the Vibration Reduction system enables photographers to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. Nikon claims the system allow users to shoot at shutter speeds as many as three stops slower than they ordinarily could shoot without blur closed by camera shake.<br /><br />Nikon says the lens includes an Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass element that provides for high resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. It also features Nikon’s compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise auto-focusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling characteristics.<br /><br />The lens features 15 elements in 11 groups (including the one ED element) with a seven-blade rounded diaphragm. The minimum aperture is f/22-32 and minimum focus 3.6 feet throughout the entire zoom range. Maximum reproduction ratio is 1:4.35 and angle of view ranges from 8 degrees to 28 degrees. Filter size is 52mm and the lens comes with the HB-37 bayonet hood, front and rear caps and a flexible pouch. Weight 11.8 ounces.<br /><br />The 55-200mm should already be available in camera stores, with an estimated selling price of $249.95.<br /><br /><a href="http://press.nikonusa.com/2007/03/nikon_introduces_the_affordabl.php">Click here</a> for the Nikon news release. <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&amp;productNr=2166">Click here</a> for additional specifications.<br /><br />Copyright 2007</div>Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-20945942622451070352007-08-03T21:34:00.000-04:002007-08-03T21:35:37.283-04:00Canon Shuts Out Nikon 7-0 in August Photo Mag ContestsNikon suffered its worst month in the history of NikonvsCanon.com as Canon scored a 7-0 shutout in August’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines.<br /><br />Canon beat Nikon 5-0 in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature and 2-0 in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging’s</a> “Your Best Shot” contest.<br /><br />Nikon not only lost to Canon, but was outscored by other brands, which accounted for an unusually high five winning photos in Shutterbug and one in Pop. (The winning “other” photo in Pop was made with a Yashicamat 124-G, one of our favorite non-Nikon/Canon cameras.)<br /><br />Nikon also lost its previous 41-38 year-to-date lead, slipping behind to 45-41 as Canon took the lead. Others now total 25 for the year. Nikon and Canon combined still outnumber all others combined three to one.<br /><br />Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />The analysis by <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> is not intended to take sides or to indicate that either magazine favors either camera brand. In fact, the winning brand fluctuates frequently from month to month in both magazines.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-15191962456355895452007-06-13T22:11:00.000-04:002007-06-13T22:12:39.271-04:00Nikon Beats Canon 7-4 in July Photo Mag ContestsThe pendulum swung back in July’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photo magazines as Nikon beat Canon 7-4 and reclaimed the lead in year-to-date totals.<br /><br />Canon had a clean sweep of 3-0 in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging’s </a>“Your Best Shot” contest, but Nikon took <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature 7-1 to make the combined score of Nikon 7, Canon 3. That’s a reversal from last month’s 7-3 Canon win.<br /><br />Canon, which had been running behind for the year, caught up to Nikon last month for a 34-34 tie for the year so far. But this month’s results put Nikon ahead 41-38. Nikon has been the winner in three months this year, with Canon winning two, and two months tied. Less than half the year is left, but with the score this close it’s still too soon to predict a winner.<br /><br />Only one photo in Shutterbug was shot with another brand in July, and none in Pop, bringing other brands to 19 winning photos combined. Nikon and Canon photos combined still outnumber all other brands combined more than four-to-one.<br /><br />Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />The analysis by <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> is not intended to take sides or to indicate that either magazine favors either camera brand. In fact, the winning brand fluctuates frequently from month to month in both magazines.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-62657702679486590092007-05-23T21:44:00.000-04:002007-05-23T21:45:55.464-04:00Canon Beats Nikon 7-3 in June Photo Mag ContestsCanon had its strongest showing of the year in June’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photography magazines, beating Nikon 7-3 and tying the competition at 34 for the year so far.<br /><br />Canon was the winner in both <a href="http://www.popphoto.com">Popular Photography and Imaging’s </a>“Your Best Shot” contest and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature, leading Nikon 2-1 in Pop and 5-2 in Shutterbug.<br /><br />All other brands combined accounted for only four photos out of 14 total winners – a return to tradition after last month, when the combination of “other” brand winners outnumbered both Nikon and Canon numbers for the first time since NikonvsCanon started keeping count. (Five “other” photos won in May, compared with four each for Nikon and Canon.)<br /><br />June’s 7-3 Canon win brings the year to a 34-34 tie. Nikon and Canon have been the monthly winners twice each while two months (February and May) were ties. Other brands have shot 18 winning photos combined, so Nikon and Canon photos combined still outnumber all other brands combined almost four-to-one.<br /><br />Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />The analysis by <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">http://www.nikonvscanon.com/</a> is not intended to take sides or to indicate that either magazine favors either camera brand. In fact, the winning brand fluctuates frequently from month to month in both magazines.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-4326358381034728632007-05-09T19:45:00.000-04:002007-05-09T19:47:15.754-04:00Nikon and Canon Tie in May Photo Mag ContestsNikon and Canon came to their second tie of the year in May’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photography magazines, each claiming four winning photos in the combined tallies. But in a rare occurrence, other brands combined to outnumber winning photos taken by either Nikon or Canon.<br /><br />Canon was the winner in <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging’s </a>“Your Best Shot” contest, taking two of the winning photos compared with one for Nikon. (That’s right, only three total photos published in the Pop contest this month.)<br /><br />The margin was also tight in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature, where Nikon won with three to Canon’s two. But Shutterbug published a total of 10 winning photos, and five were taken by other brands: Fuji, Sony and Konica-Minolta.<br /><br />That marks the first time since NikonvsCanon began keeping count that other brands have equaled or exceeded the number of photos shot with Nikon or the number shot with Canon. It’s also the first time that “other brand” photos published in either magazine equaled the number of Nikon and Canon shots combined. (Five “others” compared with five Nikon/Canon split as three Nikon and two Canon.)<br /><br />But don’t worry: the strong showing by “other” in Shutterbug doesn’t appear to be any threat to the dominance of Nikon and Canon. Two of the photos were made with Nikon lenses on Fuji S2 DSLR cameras, which are actually Nikon bodies modified with Fuji electronics and could arguably be counted as Nikon. Two were shot with Konica-Minolta Dimage models and one with an unspecified Sony Cybershot. There were no “other brand” photos in Pop this month.<br /><br />Other brands aside, that adds up to a 4-4 Nikon-Canon tie, the second this year following February’s 6-6 draw. Nikon still leads Canon 31-27 for the year. The “other” windfall in Shutterbug brings the year to a total of 14 photos shot with other brands. Even with that, Nikon and Canon photos combined still outnumber all other brands combined more than four-to-one.<br /><br />Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for only 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />The analysis by <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> is not intended to take sides or to indicate that either magazine favors either camera brand. In fact, the winning brand fluctuates frequently from month to month in both magazines.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-3836504965434373642007-04-03T21:54:00.001-04:002007-04-03T21:54:56.579-04:00Canon Beats Nikon 8-5 in April Photo Mag ContestsCanon beat Nikon 8-5 in April’s reader photo contests in the two largest U.S. photography magazines, ending Nikon’s five-month streak of blocking Canon from a win but still leaving Nikon in the lead for the year so far.<br /><br />Canon was the easy winner in Popular Photography and Imaging’s “Your Best Shot” contest, taking three of the winning photos compared with one for Nikon. Competition was tighter in <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug’s</a> “Picture This!” feature, where Canon claimed five winners to Nikon’s four and Pentax had one.<br /><br />That adds up to an 8-5 win for Canon for the month, but Nikon is still leading the year at 27-23 while nine photos were shot with other brands. That leaves Nikon/Canon photos outnumbering all other brands combined 5.5 to one.<br /><br />Nikon was the winner in four out of the past five previous months (February was a tie). April is Canon’s first winning month since a three-month streak that ended last October. Canon won 2006 89-83 with all other brands combined accounting for only 43 photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/">Popular Photography and Imaging</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterbug.com/">Shutterbug</a> run photo contests for readers each month. The majority of winning photos are shot with either Nikon or Canon cameras, and <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> tracks the winners as a means of keeping score in the perennial argument among photographers of which brand is better.<br /><br />The analysis by <a href="http://www.nikonvscanon.com/">www.NikonvsCanon.com</a> is not intended to take sides or to indicate that either magazine favors either camera brand. In fact, the winning brand fluctuates frequently from month to month in both magazines.<br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-8543556608196204472007-03-24T13:53:00.001-04:002007-03-24T13:53:40.097-04:00Canon Wins 5-2 in Trains Magazine ContestCanon beat Nikon 5-2 in <a href="http://www.trainsmag.com/">Trains</a> magazine’s annual photo contest, with winner’s published in the April issue.<br /><br />Reader Robert Jordan took the grand prize for his winter scene of workers clearing snow off the front of a locomotive, keeping with the contest’s “Against the Elements” theme. The winning photo was made with a Nikon N-80 and an unspecified 28-200 zoom on Fuji Provia 100F.<br /><br />As Grand Prize winner, Jordan will receive a six-day rail excursion for two plus a Canon EOS 30D with 24-85mm lens.<br /><br />First-prize winner Mike Schaller made his image of a locomotive plowing through the snow with a Canon 20D and EF 35-350mm zoom. He will receive a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi with 18-55mm lens. Second prize of $300 went to Ken Fitzgerald for a summer photo of a railroad worker drinking from a bottle of water under a hot sun, shot with a Canon 5D and 20mm lens. The five runners up included one Nikon shot, three by Canon and one with a classic Pentax K1000. Runners up received a Canon gadget bag.<br /><br />The contest was open for photos taken between November 1, 2005, and October 31, 2006. Judging was based on “intriguing composition, effective use of light, and inspiring and creative images.”<br /><br />Trains isn’t a photography magazine, but is a very photographer-friendly publication for photographers who like to shoot trains and related railroad scenes. The magazine publishes dozens of photos in each issue, most if not all from freelancers, and welcomes submissions from readers. Unlike some hobby magazines, photographers are paid for their work. In fact, publisher Kalmbach Publishing Co. has recently launched a new submissions page at <a href="http://www.contribute.kalmbach.com/">www.contribute.kalmbach.com</a> to encourage writers and photographers to submit their work for Trains and other railroad-related magazines own by the company.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.trains.com/trc/default.aspx?c=a&id=74">Click here for contest details.</a><br /><br />Copyright 2007Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35828958.post-48811755776827771662007-03-24T13:18:00.001-04:002007-03-24T13:18:54.597-04:00Nikon Upgrades D40 to 10.2 Megapixels<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RgVdchXFTXI/AAAAAAAAAAc/bMmQND9z1yo/s1600-h/NikonD40.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045541702111415666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_N-T0HHKb7ms/RgVdchXFTXI/AAAAAAAAAAc/bMmQND9z1yo/s320/NikonD40.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It’s only been four months since Nikon brought out the D40, but Nikon is already taking a step beyond the entry-level consumer digital SLR with the D40x, a new model that overcomes the original’s biggest shortcoming by jumping from 6.1 megapixels to 10.2 megapixels.<br /><br />Nikon says the D40x maintains the same compact size, portability and ease-of-use as its already successful sister camera, the D40, and adds features like higher 10.2 megapixel resolution, faster continuous shooting capability and wider ISO sensitivity.<br /><br />Nikon says the $800 D40x will be available in April but gave no indication that the $600 original D40 will be discontinued, apparently hoping to appeal to customers at two price points.<br /><br />“The D40 has become a runaway success for Nikon because it effectively addresses so many of the concerns shared by those who take pictures to preserve family memories and for all-around fun,” Nikon Inc. General Manager for SLR System Products Marketing Edward Fasano said. “The D40 and the new D40x eliminate common annoyances such as shutter lag and inaccurate viewfinders while answering our customers’ needs for superb image quality, fast handling, compactness and, most important of all, simplicity. Now with the D40x, anyone has the choice of higher resolution so they can do even more with their pictures.”<br /><br />“Whether people want to make poster-sized prints or make special enlargements from a smaller area of a picture, the D40x can produce images that have superb clarity, outstanding detail and vibrant colors,” Fasano said. “Even regular 4x6 inch prints and pictures reduced in size for e-mailing are visibly better when captured with a more capable camera.”<br /><br />The D40x powers-up in 0.18 second and can shoot up to 3 fps for up to 100 shots, recording to an SD memory card. That compares with 2.5 fps on the D40. The ISO range is 100-1600, plus HI-1 (actually 3200, but we’re not sure why Nikon doesn’t call it that), compared with 200-1600 plus HI-1 for the D40. The D40x features 3D Color Matrix Metering II and an improved image processing engine. Battery life is improved to 520 images per charge.<br /><br />The back of the D40x is dominated by a 2.5-inch color LCD screen that displays everything from menu options, pictures in playback mode and Nikon’s new visually-intuitive information display system that presents camera and shooting information in a user-friendly, graphically represented way. The camera also features a built-in help menu that can be accessed at the touch of a button and new Assist Images that help users select appropriate settings for many camera features by displaying a sample image typical of that setting.<br /><br />The D40x’s automated, scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes allow amateurs to capture nearly any type of scene without needing to understand the fine points of photography. The D40x includes eight preset modes, including a new Flash Off mode that shuts off the camera’s flash and boosts its ISO so users can easily take pictures in places where flash photography is not allowed, inappropriate or when they prefer the look of naturally lit pictures. Once beginners gain experience – or for experienced photographers picking up the camera – the D40x offers standard Aperture-priority and Shutter-priority modes.<br /><br />The D40x’s Retouch menu offers exclusive in-camera image editing features that add to the D40x’s “fun factor” by providing greater creativity without the need for a computer. Included in the Retouch menu is Nikon’s D-Lighting, which brightens dark pictures and Red-eye correction that automatically detects and corrects red eye. Image Trim allows for cropping of an image and creates smaller files for easy e-mailing. Other features include Image Overlay, Small Picture, Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, and Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color balance).<br /><br />The D40x comes packaged with the same 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens as the original D40. The D40x is also compatible with all of Nikon’s AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses but still suffers from the original D40’s other major shortcoming – lack of autofocus compatibility with older AF lenses. Autofocus is supported only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with built-in motors. As with all Nikon SLRs since the original Nikon F, virtually any Nikon F-mount lens ever made can be used if you don’t mind giving up autofocus and metering features.<br /><br />The D40x will be available throughout the United States beginning in April for an estimated street price of $729.95 for body only or $799.95 packaged with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor. That compares with $599.95 for the original D40 with the same lens.<br /><br />The Nikon press release is available by <a href="http://press.nikonusa.com/2007/03/nikon_introduces_the_d40x_a_ne.php">clicking here.</a> A brochure and other details are available by <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&amp;productNr=25424">clicking here.</a><br /><br />Copyright 2007</div>Nikon vs. Canonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141619891801458804noreply@blogger.com0